WestJet Airlines Pet Policies, Fees Guide

Do you have any plans to travel along with your favorite pet? If so, you may be wondering about WestJet's pet policy. For pet owners who want to fly with a pet, WestJet Airlines' pet policy is in place that can provide you with a more suitable and better travel experience for you and your pet. So, let's dive into the details and explore everything you need about WestJet's pet policy.

What Kind Of Pets Allowed on WestJet Flights?

According to the pet policy of WestJet Airlines, passengers can take only one pet as a carry-on pet with them on the plane. WestJet Airlines permits following pets like cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits as carry-on.

While talking about the checked pets, the airline allows dogs, birds, cats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and rabbits on the plane. WestJet only permits 2 pets or the same breed in one kennel to fly as checked pets. 

However, there are certain exceptions, like WestJet Link flights that operate with Saab aircraft. In the exceptional case, only one pet is allowed per kennel or carrier.

WestJet allows a certain number of pets to travel depending on the type of aircraft. So if you want to travel with your pet, you must make the bookings in advance with WestJet Airlines. 

Under what conditions does WestJet Airlines permit the pet to fly?

WestJet Airlines suggests that pet owners call and plan their trip along with their pets because this can’t be done through online mode. There are specific guidelines and points to recall if you are planning to fly along with your pet:

• Try to connect with WestJet Airlines 48 hours before departure because only limited seats are available.
• Your pet must be older than 8 weeks to travel with WestJet Airlines.
• Your pet should be in good health, and you must have the supporting documents that prove your pet is fit to travel.
• Throughout the whole journey inside the plane, your pet should remain in the kennel. If you are traveling in a cabin, then they must stay under the seat in front of you.
• WestJet Airlines may deny the aggression of pets under distress.
• You must take approval for the kennel from WestJet check-in.

What Are The Guidelines For Pets as Carry-on WestJet Flights?

Pets traveling as a carry-on must be in a proper kennel. The kennel should have enough space for the pet to stand, sit and move naturally inside the kennel. In some cases where a passenger travels with a cat on a flight, and another guest on the same flight is allergic to cats, WestJet Airline must move the pet owner along with the pet to the rear of the aircraft.

Guidelines for Kennel of carry-on pets

The guidelines for the kennel of carry-on pets are as follows:

• The types of pets allowed in the carry-on are birds, cats, dogs, and rabbits.
• Only one pet is allowed in a single kennel.
• There are a certain number of kennels allowed in various aircraft. WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 allows 4 kennels, Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800 limit the number of kennels up to 2. However, Boeing B787 9 aircraft in Business class doesn’t even allow a single kennel.
• The kennel for the pet should be within 41x25.4x21.5 cm
• A few other things are also important like the material of the kennel should be soft, making it comfortable for the pet. WestJet Airlines should approve the kennel and be leakproof, secure, and well-ventilated.

Fees for carry-on pets 

It does matter if there’s a pet in a kennel or not, it will be counted as your carry-on baggage allowance as a personal item. A pet kennel fee applies to the pets traveling in the cabin:

What Are The Guidelines For Pets as Checked Baggage on WestJet Flights?

Pet owners must complete the live animals handling declaration for taking their pets as checked baggage. Passengers can request the airline, and they will get a form and sticker at the check-in counter. The kennel should be spacious so your pet can easily sit, stand and move naturally in the kennel without any problem. The guidelines for the pet's travelings as checked baggage are as follows:

• Pets can travel as checked baggage, including birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs.
• In Boeing B737 aircraft, 6 pets are allowed; in Boeing B787 aircraft, 4 pets can travel as checked baggage. Similarly, in WestJet Encore, 2 pets are allowed, and in WestJet Link, 1 pet is allowed.
• In Boring B737 aircraft, 3 kennels and Boeing B787, 2 kennels are permitted. Additionally, WestJet Airlines only allows 1 kennel in Dash8 Q400 and Saab 349.
• The pet's weight and the kennel should be up to 100 lbs.
• The size of the kennel should be 101 x 68 x 76 cm.
• The kennel should be hard-sided and comfortable enough for the pet to travel.
• It should be marked with a “Live Animal” and “The way up” tag with arrows on two sides.
• The kennel should have food and water containers, a lifting device, and ¾ protecting rim.

Fees for the pets as checked bags

Other Information Related to Westjet Airlines Pet

Bird embargoes

• The Dominican Republic does not allow any type of bird to be imported into the country.
• In Mexico, it is illegal to export endangered birds and the remains of extinct birds.
• When traveling with a pet bird, you may need to obtain an import/export permit, which may require advance arrangements.
• To confirm the import/export regulations for pet birds, it's best to contact the local embassy or consulate of the country you're traveling to.
• Returning to Canada or the U.S. with a pet bird may also require additional advance arrangements to comply with import regulations.

Service Animals 

• WestJet pet policy allows service animals to fly with their owner. Passengers with any kind of disability can fly with their service dog without any charges.
• Service dogs are allowed at almost all the destinations. 
• However, some exceptions, like Bridgetown (Barbados), Montego Bay, or Kingston (Jamaica), don’t allow service dogs. 
• WestJet only accepts trained service dogs.
• All the itineraries that include the U.S. can take 2 service dogs per person, but for the other itineraries, WestJet only allows 1 service dog per passenger.
• The owner must ensure that the service dog must have all the related documents for verification purposes.
• If you plan to fly to the following destinations: Antigua, Cayman Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, France, Ireland, or the U.K., it is essential to obtain pre-approval well in advance. 
• If you plan to travel with a service dog on WestJet, inform the airline at least 48 hours before departure. The notice period is seven days before departure for those traveling with a WestJet Vacations package. You'll need to provide your dog's height, weight, and length so the airline can make necessary accommodations.
• As of August 2021, WestJet no longer accepts Emotional Support Animals for travel in any cabin. However, Service Animals are still permitted on board.
• WestJet has specific rules in place for those traveling with Service Dogs. You'll need to inform them at least 48 hours in advance (or seven days if you're part of a WestJet Vacations package) and provide your dog's height, weight, and length. It's also important to note that Emotional Support Animals are no longer allowed on WestJet flights as of August 2021.